NASA's Education Office has released a new framework to work with the academic community to prepare the next generation of explorers and innovators. The Education Strategic Coordination Framework highlights agency content, people and facilities as the foundation for sponsored educational opportunities, while developing new non-traditional partnerships.

"Through this framework, NASA will support the country's educators who play a key role in engaging and preparing today's young minds to lead the nation's laboratories and research centers of tomorrow," said the agency's Acting Assistant Administrator for Education, John M. Hairston, Jr.

The framework identifies three priorities for NASA to work with academia, industry and informal educators to foster increased studies in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. NASA's education priorities include strengthening the nation's workforce, attracting and retaining students, and engaging America in NASA's missions.

Another key element of the new education framework is to involve partners and establish strategic alliances to work with NASA to inspire and engage the nation's youth.

The agency strives to reach students at every level in the education pipeline. NASA remains committed to engaging and retaining underrepresented and underserved communities of students, educators and researchers in its education programs.

For a copy of the NASA Education Strategic Coordination Framework and information about agency education programs, visit:

http://education.nasa.gov/about/strategy/index.html

For information about NASA and other agency programs, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/home